Connect With Us

New partnership celebrated with a day of snow for families impacted by cancer

On Saturday 8th July, 150 kids growing up with cancer enjoyed a rare opportunity to play in the snow in sunny Queensland at Camp Quality’s Hand Heart Pocket Family Fun Day at Snow4Kids park, where a new partnership was announced.

The Snow4Kids experience is one of Camp Quality’s Family Fun Days, which offer the chance for families impacted by cancer to reconnect and create memories outside of hospital. It was the first time many kids had seen snow since diagnosis and for some, the first time ever.

The day was made possible by Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland who also announced a donation of $290,000 to fund Camp Quality’s Family Camps in the Queensland community for the next 12 months.

Kylea Tink, Camp Quality CEO says the partnership with Hand Heart Pocket will help Camp Quality support a great number of Queensland families.

“Camp Quality aims to support every Australian child impacted by cancer – be that their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of someone they love. Thanks to Hand Heart Pocket we will be able to focus on ensuring our programs reach all families who need them within the Queensland community,” Kylea said.

At present, Camp Quality provides innovative programs and services to 725 Queensland families impacted by cancer. Camps provide kids with a vital break to strengthen their wellbeing and boost their support networks in an environment filled with fun and optimism.

Camp Quality mum, Elmarie Oberholzer knows firsthand how hard it can be to watch your own kids miss out on the fun. Within five months of moving from New Zealand to Brisbane, her one year- old son, Louis was diagnosed with Leukaemia.

“We had barely found a place to live when Louis got sick. Everything just happened at once, and we just had to start treading water to stay afloat,” Elmarie says. “I first met Camp Quality in the hospital and attended many Camp Quality programs including Family Camp. At Family Camp, you can connect with families in the same situation as you, which is exactly what you need to remember that you aren’t alone.”

Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer, Gary Mark said it was proud to cover the costs of the camps because it meant Camp Quality could do more for Queensland families impacted bycancer.

“Camp Quality’s purpose is to give every Australian child impacted by cancer every opportunity to thrive. This resonates with Hand Heart Pocket in that, we are very much for supporting programs that empower people to lead better lives,” Gary said.

This is one of several significant donations that Hand Heart Pocket has announced in a matter of weeks, indicating the increasing focus that Freemasons in Queensland are placing on their charity work.

“We’re all about providing sustainable support that delivers positive outcomes by giving a hand up - not a handout - to communities, to other charities and to individuals,” said Gary.